Launching device for toy vehicle



27, 7 R. D. HOLT LAUNCHING DEVICE FOR TOY VEHICLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 24, 1953 INVENTOR. RALPH HOLT ATTORNEY 8- 27, 7 R. D. HOLT 2,804,619

' 'LAUNCHING DEVICE FOR TOY VEHICLE Filed June 24.195; 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR;

-RALPI-f D. Hour Ema/w AT ORNEY LAUNCHlNG nnvrca ron ror vnrncra Ralph D. Holt, Canton, Ohio; The Harter Bank & Trust Company, Canton, Ohio, executor of said Ralph D. Holt, deceased Application June 24, 1953, Serial No. 363,825

Claims. (Cl. 46-81) The subject invention relates generally to amusement devices and more particularly is directed to a launching device for a toy vehicle, such as an aeroplane.

The principle of the invention is to provide a launching device embodying unique principles of design and construction.

More particularly, an important object of the invention is to provide a launching device comprised of a base member, a launching member or platform, means preferably in the form of a spring actuated lever or striker for projecting or driving a vehicle off the platform, and means preferably in the form of a lever whereby the platform can be adjusted to cause the vehicle to be projected into space at different elevations.

A significant object of the invention is to pivotally connect one end of the platform to one end of the base to more or less form a generally V-shaped structure with resilient means for normally urging the platform and base toward one another.

Another object of the invention is to provide the platform with a housing for the projecting means, adjustable means and resilient means.

A specific object of the invention is to provide the housing with a shaft which pivotally supports the adjustable means and projecting means. The adjustable means is preferably mounted to spread the base and platform apart and in so doing will compress the resilient means. Expressed otherwise, the adjustable means, which is manually operated, serves to vary the angular relationship between the base and platform.

A particular object of the invention is to provide the housing on the platform with a plurality of abutment means, preferably in the form of notches, and the adjustable means with a spring pressed detent which is selectively cooperable with the abutment means for holding the platform in the position to which it has been adjusted. The housing is provided with suitable indicia to indicate various angles or pitches to which the platform may be adjusted.

Another object of the invention is to provide a launching device in which the platform member is provided with tracks or guides for the wheels of the aeroplane, and

the base member with grooves or recesses into which the tracks may recede or nest.

A further object of the invention is to provide a setup whereby a cap can be exploded at the time that the aeroplane receives the impact from the projecting means and also when the aeroplane strikes an object. Provision is made whereby the aeroplane or a part of the launching device may carry the cap. More specifically in this respect, the aeroplane is provided with an extension at each end to simulate jet propulsion with a cap retainer or receptacle 1 carried by each extension.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a launching device which is durable, eificient in operation and is so designed and constructed that the components thereof can be economically manufactured and readily assembled on a production basis.

States Patent Zfififil Patented Aug. 27, 1957 Many other attributes and advantages of the invention will become apparent after the description hereinafter set forth is considered in conjunction with the drawings annexed hereto.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a perspective view of the launching device embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the device with a vehicle mounted thereon, and portions of the device shown in section to illustrate certain details of construction;

Figure 3 is a partial perspective view of the device, with portions broken away to illustrate other details;

Figure 4 is a transverse section taken through a modified form of a launching device showing how the tracks on the platform can be nested in grooves provided in the base of the device;

Figure 5 is a partial section showing the lever constituting the actuating means and detent means associated therewith;

Figure 6 is a partial view of a modified form of actuating means;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the projecting means;

Figure 8 is a view showing one form of cap retainer on the aeroplane and the relationship of the projecting means thereto;

Figure 9 is an end view of the cap retainer;

Figure 10 is a transverse section taken through the retainer and an aft or rear extension on the aeroplane for the purpose of showing certain details;

Figure 11 is a side view of an aeroplane provided with fore and aft extensions carrying cap retainers;

Figures 12 and 13 exemplify different forms of cap retainers that may be applied to either of the extensions; and

Figure 14 is a modification showing one way of mounting a cap on the projecting means in lieu of on a vehicle.

The structure illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 through 10 will be described first.

The launching device includes, among other things, a base member generally designated 1, a platform member 2, projecting means 3 and adjustable means 4 for varying the angle between the base member and platform member.

The base and platform are preferably more or less of corresponding rectangular shape and although made of plastic may be constructed of any suitable material. The base platform is pivotally connected or hinged at one end to one end of the base by a cross pin 5.

The base is provided with bosses 6 at its extremities so as to support the intermediate portion of the base in spaced relation to a mounting such as a floor or table. The inner extremity of the base is further provided with an opening 7, through which a leg 8 of the resilient means above referred to extends; the details of which will be described subsequently.

The platform, as clearly illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3, includes a launching portion 9 and a housing 10 of integral construction. The housing may be designed and constructed in various ways but as herein shown, includes corresponding side walls 11, a front or upstanding wall 12 provided with an aperture 13, and a curved or arcuate wall 14 provided with parallel slots 15 and 16 through which the levers 17 and 1S, constituting the adjustable means and projecting means respectively, extend. The bottom of the housing is open so as to facilitate entry and assembly of certain of the components.

As exemplified in Figure 3, a shaft 19 extends transversely through the housing and is carried by the side walls 11. The resilient means or spring for urging the base and platform toward one another is preferably generally U or V in shape and includes the leg 8 above referred to which extends through the opening 7 in the 3 base and also a leg provided with a hook portion 21 which bears upon the shaft 19. The bight portion of the spring is mounted on the cross pin 5. The spring, when arranged as shown, serves to normally bias or urge the platform toward the base.

The adjustable means, generally designated 4, among other things, includes the lever 17 above referred to and a separate cam 22. This lever and cam are' secured to opposite ends of the shaft 19 by set screws 23 as shown. The lower end of the lever is provided with an integral cam portion 24 which substantially corresponds to the cam 22.

A handle 25 for manipulating the adjustable means, as shown in Figures 3 and 5, is slidably supported on the outer end of the lever 17. A helical spring 26 is confined within the lever and bears against the handle to normally urge the handle outwardly so that detents 27 formed on the handle may be brought into selective yieldable engagement with any pair of a plurality of pairs of abut ments to locate and hold the platform in any one of a plurality of predetermined angular relationships with respect to the base. More specifically in this regard, the inner surface of the curved wall 14 of the housing on either side of the slot 15 is provided with a'row of notches or serrations 28, as shown in Figure 3, which constitute the abutments just referred to. The outer surface of the curved wall may be provided with suitable indi-cia, as illustrated, so that one may depress the handle 25iand then move the lever to any one of the positions indicated by indicia and then release the handle to lock the lever in the position selected. Movement of the lever will cause the cam portion 24 thereon and the cam 22 to simultaneously rotate about the axes of the shaft 19 and slide on the upper surface of the base and thereby vary the angle or pitch between the platform and base. When, for example, the lever is moved to the position indicated 10 the platform will'take an angle or tilt of this amount with respect to the base or horizontal plane. The lever may be provided with apointer as shown. l v V The lever 18 of the projecting means, generally designated 3, may be designed and constructed as desired but as herein illustrated in detail in Figure 7, it is preferably made substantially in the shape of the letter N having legs 29 and a handle 30,-the latter of which extends through the slot 16 for manipulation. The ends of the legs are mounted on the shaft 19 and straddle the upper leg 20 of the spring. The upper part of the lever is provided with a forwardly extending projection 31 constituting an impact surface for striking the aeroplane to project it off the platform. The rear side of the front wall 12 of the housing 10 is provided with a lug 32 and one end of a helical spring 33 is connected to this lug and its other end to the top portion of the lever as depicted in Figures 2 and 3. If found desirable, means may be provided for holding the lever in a cocked p osition and then releasing it. Moreover, if found desirable, the points of connection between this spring, lever and lug and connection between the shaft and lever may be such, that when the lever is normally moved to its lowermost position, the line of force exerted by the spring will be located below the shaft to hold the lever in a cocked condition, so that after it is once cocked it can be readily released by merely raising it a slight distance, whereupon it will be automatically carried forward with considerable force by the spring. The front wall of the housing is preferably reenforced as indicated at 34, in Figure 2, to receive the impact from the lever, in the event the aeroplane is not on the platform. The lever, of course, can be actuated when the platform is in any of its angular positions with respect to the base.

The aeroplane designated 35 is designed and constructed to simulate an aircraft of the jet type. It is provided with a pair of front skids which ride in a pair of corresponding parallel grooves 36 constituting tracks to assist in locating and guiding the aeroplane in a straight 4 course or line of flight. A U-shaped abutment 37 serves to receive and locate the tail skid so as to position the rear or aft extension 38 on the rudder 39 of the aeroplane in the opening 13 in the front wall 12 of the housing 10 for presentation to the projection 31 on the lever or striker 18 as shown in Figure 2.

As illustrated in Figure 4, the base member may be provided with parallel longitudinally extending recesses 40 which may receive the track formations on the platform to locate the aeroplane closer to the base and a mounting upon which the device is adapted to be placed. This arrangement also reduces the height of the drop of a vehicle when projected onto a mounting such as a floor.

As depicted in Figure 6 of the drawing, the resilient means may be eliminated, and in lieu thereof, the cam portion 41 of a lever 42 mounted on a shaft may be provided with a groove 43 in one side thereof. A fitting 44 detachably secured to a base is provided with an entering part 45 which registers with the groove 43. A cam, not shown, but similar to cam 22 is also mounted on the shaft and provided with a groove which cooperates with another fitting like 44. With this setup, movement of the lever 42 will actuate the cams to cause the platform to move relative to the base to vary the angle 'therebetween.

As alluded to above, one of the objects of the invention is to provide an arrangement whereby a cap of gunpowder will vbe exploded or fired at the time the vehicle is struck by the projecting means. This arrangement will now be described. Asclearly shown in Figures 8, 9 and 10 a tubular cap retainer 46 is slidably mounted on the rear or aft cylindrical extension 38 on the rudder of the aeroplane 35. This extension is provided with a longitudinal slot 47 forming abutment means and the retainer with a finger 48 constituting abutment means which extends into the slot for engagement with the abutment means on the extension for determining the extent of relative longitudinal movement of the retainer on the extension and preventing rotational movement thereon. The outer extremity of the retainer is provided with an end wall 49 having a clearance aperture 50 therein to permit entry of the projection 31 on the lever 18 to strike a cap 51 seated in the retainer as shown in Figure 8. The upper portion of the retainer adjacent the end wall is provided with an opening 52, The cap can be inserted into the retainer through this opening by merely sliding the retainer outwardly to the position shown in Figure 8, after which the retainer is then preferably slid in the opposite direction to hold the cap in place. Obviously, the cap can be readily removed after detonation. It will be noted that the free end of the extension is preferably rounded so as to insure a good firing action.

As shown in Figures 11, 12 and 13, an aeroplane 53 may be provided with a cap retainer 54 at its fore or front end as well as at its aft or rear end. Figures 11 and 12 disclose two different forms of retainers that may be mounted on the cylindrical extension at either end of the aeroplane. As depicted in Figure 11, the nose of the aeroplane is provided with a fore extension 55 sup: porting a retainer 54. The extension 55 is provided with a transverse groove 56 and the retainer is indented at 57 into the groove to secure the retainer in a fixed position. The retainer has an end wall 58 with a hole 59 therein. The shank 60 of a firing pin 61 is slidably mounted in the hole 59 and the head 62 of the pin is arranged to forcibly engage a cap 63 interposed between the head and the flat end of the extension. The upper portion of the retainer is provided with an opening 64 to permit entry and removal of caps. With this setup, the aeroplane may be projected intov space and when the firing pin 61 hits an obstruction the cap will be detonated.

Thus, detonation, if desired, can be obtained at the. time.

the aeroplane. is projected and again when it hits an obstruction.

The modified form of retainer 65, depicted in Figure a =2 13, is similar to the one disclosed in Figure 8. As shown, the retainer is slidably mounted on an extension 66 so that the end wall 67 of the retainer will engage a cap 68 to effect its detonation when the end wall is struck by a projecting means.

As exemplified in Figure 14 of the drawing, provision is made on a striker for supporting a cap. More specifically in this regard, a projection 69 supports a retainer 70. The projection 69 formed on a striker lever 71 is preferably of a size to pass through a clearance opening provided in the front wall of a housing so as to provide access to the retainer. The retainer is pivotally mounted n the projection so that it may be swung to the dotted ne position shown to permit entry of a new cap desig- .ated 72 and its removal after detonation. After a new .ap is inserted into the retainer, the retainer is lifted and pressed into functional embracing engagement with the projection as shown by the full lines. -When the striker is actuated to forcibly engage an extension on a vehicle the base wall of the retainer will strike the cap against the projection to fire the cap.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various other modifications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of my invention; hence I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact forms, constructions, arrangements and combinations of parts herein shown and described or uses mentioned.

I claim:

1. A launching device for a toy vehicle comprising a base, a platform pivotally connected to the base, a shaft carried by the platform, means movably supported on the shaft for varying the angular relationship between the base and platform, and means supported on the shaft for projecting a vehicle off the platform.

2. The structure defined in claim 1, including abutments provided on the platform and a spring pressed detent on the movable means for selective engagement with the abutments for locking the platform in the position selected.

3. A launching device for a toy vehicle comprising an elongated base, an elongated member having one end pivotally connected to one end of the base, said member having a launching portion and a housing provided with side walls, a curved wall provided with parallel slots and a front wall provided with an opening, a shaft carried by the side walls of the housing, a lever and a cam carried by the shaft, said cam engaging the base and said lever extending through one of the slots for manipulating the cam to vary the angular relationship between the base and member, a spring engaging the base and the shaft for biasing the member toward the base, a striker pivotally supported on the shaft and having a handle extending through the other slot for manipulating the striker, an elongated spring having one end connected to the striker and its other end to the front wall of the housing, a projecting part provided on the striker, a vehicle mounted on the launching portion of the member and having an extension part extending through the opening in the front wall of the housing for engagement by the projecting part on the striker.

4. The structure defined in claim 3, including means provided on one of the parts for supporting a cap so that the other part will effect detonation of a cap when the striker is actuated by the elongated spring after retraction.

5. A launching device for a toy vehicle comprising an elongated base, an elongated member having one end pivotally connected to one end of the base, said member having a launching portion and a housing provided with side walls, a curved wall provided with parallel slots and a front wall provided with an opening, a shaft carried by the side walls of the housing, a lever and a cam carried by the shaft, said cam engaging the base and said lever extending through one of the slots for manipulating the cam to vary the angular relationship between the base and member, a spring engaging the base and the shaft for biasing the member toward the base, a striker pivotally supported on the shaft and having a handle extending through the other slot for manipulating the striker, an elongated spring having one end connected to the striker and its other end to the front wall of the housing, a projecting part provided on the striker and arranged for disposition adjacent the opening in the front wall when the striker is moved to a position adjacent said wall, and means on said projecting part for supporting a cap.

6. A launching device for a toy vehicle comprising an elongated base, an elongated member having one end pivotally connected to one end of the base, said member having a launching portion and a housing provided with side walls, a curved wall provided with parallel slots and a front wall provided with an opening, a shaft carried by the side walls of the housing, a lever and a cam carried by the shaft, said cam engaging the base and said lever extending through one of the slots for manipulating the cam to vary the angular relationship between the base and member, a spring engaging the base and the shaft for biasing the member toward the base, a striker pivotally supported on the shaft and having a handle extending through the other slot for manipulating the striker, an elongated spring having one end connected to the striker and its other end to the front wall of the housing, a projecting part provided on the striker and arranged for disposition adjacent the opening in the front wall when the striker is moved to a position adjacent said wall, a vehicle mounted on the launching portion and having an extension extending through the opening in the front wall of the housing, and a retainer for a cap carried by said extension.

7. In combination: a vehicle provided with a rudder, an extension extending rearwardly from the rudder, and a retainer slidably mounted on said extension and provided with a seat for receiving a cap while the retainer is slidably connected to the extension; and means for forcibly engaging the retainer to cause it to fire a cap when placed therein and also project the vehicle forwardly.

8. A launching device for a toy vehicle comprising an elongated base, an elongated member having one end pivotally connected to one end of the base, said elongated member including a housing having an upstanding front wall provided with an opening and a launching platform extending outwardly from the bottom of the front wall, a striker pivotally mounted in the housing and having a handle extending through the housing for manipulating the striker so that it can be directed toward the opening,

a vehicle mounted on the platform and having an extension extending through the opening for engagement by the striker.

9. A launching device for a toy vehicle comprising an elongated member having a housing provided with an upstanding front wall with an opening therein and an elongated platform extending outwardly from the bottom of the front wall, a vehicle mounted on the platform and having an extension extending through the opening, a striker pivotally mounted in the housing and having a handle extending through the housing for manipulating the striker, and a spring having one end connected to an outer portion of the striker and its other end to the housing at a point forward of the pivotal connection between the striker and housing.

10. A launching device for a toy vehicle comprising an elongated base, an elongated member having one end pivotally connected to one end of the base, said member having a launching portion and a housing provided with side walls, a curved wall provided with a slot and a front wall provided with an opening, a shaft carried by the side walls of the housing, a striker pivotally supported on the shaft and having a handle extending through the slot for manipulating the striker, an elongated spring having one end connected to the striker and its other end to'the front wall of the housing, a vehicle mounted on the launching portion of the member and having an extension part extending through the Opening in the frontwall of the housing for engagement by the striker.

11. A launching device for a toy vehicle comprising an elongated base, an elongated member having one end pivotally connected to one end of the base, said'mernber having a launching portion and a housing provided with side walls, a curved wall provided with parallel slotsand a front wall provided with an opening, a shaft extending crosswise between the side walls, of the housing, a lever and a cam carried by the shaft, said cam engaging the base and said lever extending through one of the slots for manipulating the cam to vary the angular relationship between the base and member, means for biasing the member toward the base, a striker pivotally supported on the shaft and having a handle extending through the other slot for manipulating the striker, a spring for normally urging an outer portion of the striker toward the opening in the front wall of the housing, a vehicle mounted on the launching portion of the member and having an extension part located in the opening for engagement by the outer portion of the striker.

12. A launching device for a toy vehicle comprising an elongated base, an elongated member having one end pivotally connected to one end of the base, said member having a launching portion and a housing provided with side walls, a curved wall provided with parallel slots and a front wall provided with an opening for receiving an extension provided on a vehicle adapted to be mounted on the platform, a shaft carried by the side walls of one housing, a lever and a cam carried by the shaft, said cam engaging the base and said lever extending through one of the slots for manipulating the cam to vary the angular relationship between the base and member, a spring engaging the base and the shaft for biasing the member toward the base, a striker pivotally supported on the shaft and having a handle extending through the other slot for manipulating the striker, and an elongated spring having one end connected to the striker and its other end to the housing for projecting a vehicle off the platform when its extension is located in the opening in the front wall of the housing.

13. A launching device for a toy vehicle comprising an elongated base, an elongated member having one end pivotally connected to one end of the base, said member having a launching portion and a housing provided with side walls, a curved wall provided with parallel slots and a front wall provided with an opening, a shaft carried by the side walls of the housing, a lever and a cam carried by the shaft, said cam engaging the base and said lever extending through one of the slots for manipulating the cam to vary the angular relationship between the base and member, a striker pivotally supported on the shaft and having a handle extending through the other slot for manipulating the striker, an elongated spring having one end connected to the striker and its other end to the front wall of the housing, a projecting part provided on the 'striker, and means on said projecting part for supporting a cap.

14. A launching device for a toy vehicle comprising an I an outer'portion extending through one of the slots for manipulating the lever to cause the inner portion to vary the angular relationship between the base and member, a striker pivotally supported on the shaft and having a handle extending through the other slot for manipulating the striker, an elongated spring having one end connected to the striker and its other end to the front Wall of the housing, a projecting part provided on the striker, a vehicle mounted on the launching portion and having an extension extending through the opening in the front wall of the housing, and a retainer for a cap carried by said extension.

15. A launching device for a toy vehicle comprising an elongated base, an elongated platform pivotally connected to the base, a lever pivotally connected to the platform and provided with means at its inner end cooperable with the base for varying the angular relationship between the base and platform, a hammer pivotally mounted on the platform for projecting a vehicle off the platform, said lever and said hammer being mounted for pivotal movement about a single axis, and means being provided for urging the free end of the platform toward the base.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,195,597 Lucas Aug. 22, 1916 1,274,882 Hess Aug. 6, 1918 1,502,198 Hill July 22, 1924 1,621,140- Thompson Mar. 15, 1927 2,003,748 Hopkins June 4, 1935 2,183,152 Prensky Dec. 12, 1939 2,252,308 Sherrick Aug. 12, 1941 2,327,702 Flynt Aug. 24, 1943 2,384,166 Hanna Sept. 4, 1945 2,474,054 Jones June 21, 1949 2,482,436 Ream Sept. 20, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS 908,284 France Sept. 3, 1945 

